Lessons

Quietly, I joined POM's group of women wanting/trying to loose weight. Last week, I didn't post my weight, goal, and surprise for myself. So, here goes...
11/5 - 164.6 (Ht = 5'6.5 or 5'7 depending); Goal = 135; Prize = Spa visit :-)
11/12 - 162.8 = Lost 1.8lbs, and 4 inches
11/19 goal is 160.8 (2lbs per week)
(((( so embarrassed )))) Lesson #1 for me

For cross-training yesterday, I needed to give my legs a little break, so I got in the pool for a swim and quite frankly, it sucked. Really, it was okay, but those last few laps, I felt that my legs just wouldn't propel me at all anymore. They gave up. So, I was 1 lap slower today than I was last week.
Lesson #2 - don't expect great things in the pool the day after a (long) run

Swim - 30:33 (1100yds)

Today, was a scheduled 3 mile run at approximately 11:36 pace (from the Runners World training: smart coach program). When entering my info, I had put in my half time back in Feb, training for a half, 12 wk plan, mpw was 11-15 although when I started, it was 0, so it spit out that time. Fine with me. I started late on training again, so that's what I get. No PR for the Jan Half expected, but my Feb half - hmmmm.....

I went for my run at lunch, and did our regular run that includes a mile to an entrance to a half developed area, then a half mile loop I do twice, with a few short hills. It's a nice run, and I get to avoid crossing the freeway (at lunch hr). So, I'll take it. David was getting home for his run, when I was getting ready to take off and told me he was going to do the same run. Of course, he caught up to me after I did my 2nd loop (so did he). He's that much faster than me, you see! And he ran the entire way (about a mile) back with me. Nice, huh? When we got back, we talked about my running style, and did a small lap of our neighborhood. My running needs work. My continued leg pain + the shin hurting is still there so I will be stretching my legs and body from now on every day. I've got to get to the bottom of where it's coming from.

Anyway, negative splits for me today, thanks to David!
3 miles - 31:44
10:41
10:38
10:10

So, after I got back to work, I logged my run into my spreadsheet and it's just disappointing how much I lost. My 3 mile runs were dipping into the low 9's and some 8's (I know that's a leisurely stroll for most of you) pace just a few short months ago. I then looked at my monthly mileage. Jul was a high month, then half that in Aug and in Sep - 0. Oct was low and I've already surpassed that # this month. So, lesson #3 is - if you don't want to loose some of the hard work that goes into training and the speed/distance you have built - don't stop as long as I did. I am happy just to be back out there, though.

On a more positive note for the day - My Thule Bicycle Hitch rack was at the door when I got home at lunch. Time to take our bikes somewhere on the truck!


Bummer, all morning - I thought today was Wednesday. Ughh... long week so far.

Oh - one other thing - I am going to do the Blogger 8 miles on the 8th run, created by Nancy with other blogger runners. I will be having Drill that weekend, but that's okay. It's 7.2 miles around the loop there and I'll just add on. I even added it to my race calendar. See <---------